Southern Gospel Music Association

History

The Southern Gospel Music Association (SGMA) is a non-profit organization formed in 1994 by Southern Gospel singers, songwriters, fans, and industry workers in order to “preserve, protect and promote Southern Gospel Music, its history and heritage". Anyone can join the SGMA with the payment of annual dues. The SGMA is led by a board of directors and is responsible for the nomination, selection, and induction into the SGMA Hall of Fame.

The SGMA operates the SGMA Hall Of Fame and Museum. The Hall of Fame began inducting members in 1997 and opened the doors of a physical facility on April 17, 1999 inside the Dollywood amusement park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The contents of the museum were placed in storage at the end of Dollywood's 2020 season. The museum had been closed during the 2020 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Dollywood opted not to renew the lease in 2021.

The SGMA announced the formation of a research library located in Hendersonville, Tennessee in 2019.

In 2021, the SGMA formed a sponsorship partnership with SGHistory.com.